How to Find Luxury Hotels in Tonga

Often referred to as the "Friendly Islands," the beautiful Kingdom of Tonga is an archipelago in the South Pacific Ocean. Its 176 islands are divided into three regions: Tongatapu, Vavau and Ha'apai. Read on to learn how to find luxury accommodations in Tonga.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Computer with Internet access
• Passport

Choose Your Luxury Accommodations

1. Book your luxury lodging online at the Tonga Visitors Bureau Web site. See the Resources section below for a link. You can also call 011 ([phone] to make reservations with the Tonga Visitors Bureau.
2. Experience the beauty of the island. Some resorts offer "fales," traditional Polynesian thatched bungalows that provide spectacular views of their surroundings.
3. Stay in a luxury hotel. Rooms in many of Tonga's nicer hotels are still fairly inexpensive, though most are moderately expensive and include meals.
4. Stay in the Vavau region, the tourist center of Tonga. Explore the islands by yacht or plane. Take a diving tour, go kayaking, snorkeling or whale watching.
5. Appreciate the natural beauty of Tonga at Mala Island Resort, one of Vavau's nicest beachfront resorts. You can book a room online or call the hotel reservation staff at 011 ([phone].
6. Choose accommodations in the region of Tongatapu to be close to its archaeological sites, beaches and small, coral islands. Be prepared to spend some money as luxury accommodations can be expensive.
7. Relax and unwind. The Ha'apai region is low-key with very little tourism. Explore the islands and the sandy, palm-lined beaches from your hotel.

Prepare for Your Hotel Stay

8. Obtain your entry visa at the airport. These are provided free of charge to most nationals upon arrival. They are valid for 31 days and can be renewed for up to six months for a fee.
9. Fly directly into Tonga's Fuaamotu International Airport. You can get direct flights to Tonga from Los Angeles, New Zealand and Australia.
10. Travel between islands by boat or air.
11. Pack with the island humidity in mind. You'll need light, cotton clothing, hats and sunblock to avoid sunstroke, prickly heat and other skin irritations.

Know Your Destination

12. Learn some Tongan. This is the language spoken in Tonga, but English is also well understood.
13. Plan a quiet Sunday. Tonga is a staunch Christian nation, so almost everything is closed on Sunday except a few bakeries, restaurants and resorts.

Tips & Warnings

• Booking your accommodations online is a great way to find reasonable prices on luxury lodging. However, most of the Tonga hotels do not offer online booking for accommodations. You can also contact a travel agent for a good deal,or call the hotels directly.
• There are no airport buses or taxis. Most hotels and resorts provide meet and greet service.
• Tipping can be considered offensive in Polynesian culture.
• All phone numbers include the United States international prefix "011." When calling internationally outside the United States, substitute that "011" with "00."
• All country codes are within parentheses and begin with a "+" sign.
• Avoid traveling between December and April, when Tonga experiences heavy rainfall. Many resorts and tour companies close down during this period.
• It is difficult to obtain flights to Tonga around Christmas since most Tongans return home from other countries for the holidays.
• If you are planning to do research, study, work or reside in Tonga you will need authorization prior to arrival.

Who Can Help: